Takashi Takanashi, head of the Spice House Co., a company based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, specializing in wholesale imported food for restaurants and retailers, said his company is receiving increasing requests for Vietnamese rice, he said.
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Rice is stored in a warehouse in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. |
At a store affiliated with the company, five kilograms of Japonica rice produced in Vietnam is priced at JPY 3,240 (USD 21.8), including tax. In contrast, the same quantity of domestically produced rice is sold at around JPY 4,000 (USD 27). Japonica rice, characterized by its small, short grains, is the dominant variety in Japan.
Takanashi stated that Vietnamese rice closely resembles Japanese varieties in both appearance and taste.
The Spice House Co. began selling Vietnamese rice in 2024. In October, the company introduced an initial volume of 200 tons, targeting both regular customers and food service businesses seeking bulk purchases. The strong demand has nearly depleted the company’s stock, leading to temporary purchase limits of one bag per customer.
The surge in rice prices has seen five-kilogram packs frequently surpassing JPY 4,000. This marks a significant increase compared to last year when consumers could buy the same amount for approximately JPY 1,500. Amid the surge, demand for more affordable imported rice is on the rise.
Vietnamese rice has gained traction amid this price crisis. Despite a private import tariff of JPY 341 per kilogram, it remains more affordable than domestically grown Koshihikari and other Japanese rice varieties, which are sold at around JPY 800 (USD 5.4) per kilogram.
Source: VNA